Peter Maher
(1869-1940)

Died aged c. 71

Peter Maher (born 16 March 1869, in Gunnode, Tuam, County Galway, Ireland – 22 July 1940 in Baltimore, Maryland) was an Irish boxer known for his powerful punch. Early in his career Maher won the 1888 Middleweight Championship of Ireland, and the 1890 Heavyweight Championship of Ireland. After moving to the United States he won the 1895 Heavyweight Championship of the World match by knocking out Steve O'Donnell in the first round. In 1896 Bob Fitzsimmons defeated Maher in a fight in Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico, and took the disputed heavyweight title.

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Commemorated on 1 plaque

Texas Historical Marker #13649

The Fitzsimmons-Maher Prizefight. In 1896, Judge Roy Bean made national headlines with a unique boxing match held at this site. Robert James Fitzsimmons was to fight James J. Corbett, the heavyweight champion, but the Legislature had outlawed boxing in Texas. While promoters sought a new location for the match, Corbett retired, handing the title to Irishman Peter Maher, who soon agreed to fight Fitzsimmons. Bean arranged for spectators, the press and Texas Rangers to travel by train from El Paso to Langtry, where he held the fight on a sandbar on Mexico's side of the Rio Grande; Texas lawmen had no authority there and Mexico had no law enforcement on hand. Fitzsimmons knocked Maher out in 95 seconds, winning the title. (2006) #13649

SH 25, Torres St, Langtry, TX, United States where they fought (1896)